Bible Reading — Proverbs 28:1-28 #

Some people believe the Proverbs teach us how to interact with one another; others believe the Psalms teach us how to interact with God. The chapters before and after Proverbs 28 show how delicate and difficult the relations between people may be.

When we are on the same page, it is not always clear-cut what to say. There are times when we say the wrong things for good reasons, even as sometimes we say the right things for the wrong ones.

Dealing with Problems in Communication #

Proverbs 28:21 — To show partiality is terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.

The verse above says that picking favourites or behaving in a way driven by bad intent is wrong. Whether it’s something as simple as bread, it’s not always honest and suitable to tell someone what they want to hear merely to save the peace or get anything in return. This is true even if bread is the object in issue.

The Risks of Favoritism and Lying in Conversation #

Proverbs 20:17 — Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Most of the time, telling another person what we think that person wants to hear does not make us feel good and might have negative effects on everyone over time.

Luke 6:45 — The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart.

The bread of life—which only comes from our Lord Jesus Christ—satisfies us. We must always speak the truth.

Prayer #

Loving Father, help us so that we may always speak the truth. You are good and kind. We humbly ask for wisdom in the fight against deception and harmful actions done just to fulfil the desires of others. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Blessings,

Shaliach.